SRC-JEC C.S.S.B. 954 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 954
77R10803 JMC-DBy: Barrientos
Intergovernmental Relations
4/11/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a statutory
county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil
cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed
$100,000.  C.S.S.B. 954 raises the concurrent jurisdictional cap for
statutory county courts to $250,000.  It also provides for a 12-member jury
upon written request by either party in cases in which the matter in
controversy is more than $100,000. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 25.2292, Government Code, by adding Subsections
(a) and (d), as follows: 

(a)  Provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Travis County has
concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil cases in which the
matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000 excluding
interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorneys fees
and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition. 

(d)  Provides that the jury in civil cases consists of six members, unless
the amount in controversy exceeds $100,000 and a party to the case requests
a 12-member jury in writing before a certain deadline. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of Section 25.2292(d), as added by this Act,
prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original by capping the concurrent jurisdiction of the
statutory county courts at $250,000, rather than giving them concurrent
jurisdiction regardless of the amount in controversy.  It also more
specifically sets out the circumstances in which a jury is composed of 12
members instead of six.